A FOOD company has been forced to withdraw a product from supermarket shelves because of a suspected rodent infestation at its Dutch suppliers.

Surya Foods, of Europa Way, Parkeston, has recalled 500g packs of Island Sun Semolina, which it distributes across the UK.

It says it was a precautionary measure after an internal check found a package had been gnawed.

The Food Standards Agency has said a rodent infestation may have caused a potential contamination and customers who have bought the product have been warned not to eat it.

Notices of the recall have been posted in shops across the country, including Tesco and Asda, asking for the product to be returned.

Jay Tailor, of Surya Foods’ sales department, said the company had taken immediate action to rectify the problem.

He added: “We import the product from Holland and the findings are being subjected to an investigation at this time.

“The suspected contamination was found during our regular quality control check.

“Although the Food Standards Agency has said it was discovered after a customer complaint, we do not believe that was the case.

“I believe the product was recalled after we found a suspected gnawed package during our checks.

“But most of the products that have come back to us after the recall came back in absolutely perfect condition.

“This is just a precaution.”

Surya Foods’ representatives said they had launched an international investigation to discover how the product could have made it to supermarket shelves.

Mr Tailor said: “We recalled the product immediately and we have ceased to trade with the company in Holland that supplied us with the product.

“We have already begun putting a new semolina product out to our suppliers.”